March 17, 2024

Holyoke Grand Colleen attended Catholic schools, committed to service

REGIONAL
By Sharon Roulier

HOLYOKE – The 71^st Annual Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade would not be complete without the Holyoke Grand Colleen and her court waving from their float as they make their way through the streets of the Paper City.

This year’s colleen, Elizabeth Katherine Gourde of Holyoke, has an impressive resume of accomplishments, an Irish heritage tracing back to the counties of Cork, Sligo and Mayo and has received 100 percent of her education from Catholic schools in the Diocese of Springfield.

Elizabeth, a 2023 graduate of Our Lady of the Elms College in Chicopee and a 2019 graduate of Pope Francis Preparatory School in Springfield, was crowned during the 68^th Annual Holyoke Grand Colleen Coronation Ball and Awards Reception Feb. 18 at the Log Cabin.

Each year the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade Committee selects a grand colleen and a four -member court. Members of the court were chosen from among 18 contestants this year and include Amelia Frances George, Hunter Rose Edwards, Natalie Bell Morris and Taryn Shaylene Ryan.

Being named the colleen has been a dream of Gourde’s since she was a child, she said, remembering how she would watch the parade on television, where she first saw the colleen and her court.

“My mom came home and I asked her to explain who they were and she said ‘those are the colleens and they are role models for young girls like you. And if you want to be one, you have to eat your cauliflower,’” laughed Elizabeth. “And I thought she couldn’t be lying, so for the next few months that was like all I ate. And I can’t touch the stuff now. I hate it so much.”

Luckily, there will be no cauliflower on the menu this St. Patrick’s weekend, as the Gourde family plans to partake in all of the Irish traditions this weekend, including having the traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner.

As for Elizabeth’s parents, Kate and Bob Gourde, they said they are most certainly proud of their eldest child, and only daughter, and proud of their three boys.

“It was a shock, but she’s always been a princess in our eyes,” said Kate Gourde. “Incredibly proud is the understatement of the year.”

“She’s amazing and I was blown away by that decision,” said Bob Gourde. “All those girls were incredible and we are proud of the work that she’s done, and how she carries herself.”

The Gourdes are equally proud of the fact that all of their children have received a Catholic school education.

Elizabeth attended Mater Dolorosa Elementary School in Holyoke from pre-school through grade eight. She went on to graduate from Pope Francis Prep and Our Lady of the Elms College, earning a bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in writing.

“We think that she’s an incredible outcome for the Springfield Diocese and something they should be very proud of,” said Kate.

Throughout her college career, Elizabeth was the co-editor in chief and writer for the Bloom literary magazine. She also had an internship with the Elms Alumni Magazine and pioneered a two-week poetry and prose writing workshop at the Care Center.

She also worked with Sister of St. Joseph Jane Morrissey at Homework House in Holyoke and is currently directing a play written by Sister Jane about the history of the Sisters of St. Joseph, who has become her role model.

“She’s turned my world upside down by her love,” said Elizabeth. “She is an incredible lady and she breaks every single stereotype that you may have set for a nun in the most wonderful way.”

Elizabeth’s commitment to service extended beyond academia. In January 2023, she volunteered to rebuild homes with the St. Bernard Project in Puerto Rico. In March 2023, she traveled to El Paso, Texas, for a service trip, where she cooked and cleaned in a refugee shelter, gaining first-hand knowledge of the border crisis.

The Gourdes agreed that providing the opportunity for a Catholic school education for their children was important.

“It just gives you a real world view of what your place is in the world,” said Kate. “And what you should be trying to do to leave the world a better place. And especially in these times, I feel that that is very important that you think of others, even more so than you think of yourself.”

“It teaches them to give back to society, as well,” added Bob.

“That’s our role,” finished Kate, “to be the hands and feet of Jesus.”

Watch the full story here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLBTFm2ip2k